Florida's Burmese pythons are carrying three previously unknown RNA viruses; scientists are investigating whether they could reach native snakes
- Burmese pythons in Florida's Everglades are carrying three previously unknown RNA viruses, raising questions about whether viruses harboured by the invasive snakes could eventually affect native wildlife.
- A study published in the Journal of Virology examined 40 Burmese pythons captured in and around the site of a 2020 disease outbreak among eastern mudsnakes.
- Researchers did not find the ferlavirus linked to that outbreak in the pythons, but instead identified three previously undescribed viruses: an alphavirus, a hepacivirus and an arterivirus.
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- Burmese pythons in Florida's Everglades are carrying three previously unknown RNA viruses, raising questions about whether viruses harboured by the invasive snakes could eventually affect native wildlife.
- A study published in the Journal of Virology examined 40 Burmese pythons captured in and around the site of a 2020 disease outbreak among eastern mudsnakes.
- Researchers did not find the ferlavirus linked to that outbreak in the pythons, but instead identified three previously undescribed viruses: an alphavirus, a hepacivirus and an arterivirus.
Sources: Times of India